I already stated the vague intention of flexing my magical and energetic muscles, but I think a concrete goal is also worth pursuing. With that in mind, I’m stating my intention to make our old property turn a profit, either through sale or rental, so that it stops becoming a financial burden on my family. I’ll openly state that it scares me a bit to put this desire into words, as it will mean some sort of significant change no matter what happens. But things can’t continue the way they have been, and it will be concrete proof of my development when things turn around.

So now, I have two clearly defined goals: a) develop a magical and energetic toolkit for mundane manifestations, and b) sell/rent the old house. These things are entwined in several ways, so hopefully working on one will create progress on the other as well.

Now, on to specifics.

1. How are you going to accomplish these large goals in your daily life? You need to start breaking it up into bite sized pieces. Our particular Experiment goes until Valentine’s Day. What can you reasonably expect to accomplish by then? How will you do it?

1a. I believe I can hit the half-way point in my OBOD Ovate work by Valentine’s Day, which would put me on target to enter the Druid grade by the next East Coast Gathering. I also want to sign up for Jason Miller’s Strategic Sorcery course (having heard Great Things about it from BoneDruid), and since he’s running a NYNY deal, I really don’t have an excuse. I’m hoping that I won’t overdo things by working two systems simultaneously, but I think the SS course will give me some of the technical grounding that I’m currently missing from the Ovate work.

Additionally, I need to continue writing to my Ovate tutor monthly, which makes me accountable and on track for the work I’m doing within the Order.

1b. I need to get the house thoroughly cleaned, both physically and energetically (although the latter is in much better shape than when we lived there). Then, I need to start pounding the pavement, putting up posts on Craigslist and the like to get the place rented until we can put it back on the market in the spring.

2. What magical acts (rituals, spellwork, whatever it is you do) can you do to help you accomplish these goals?

2a. Continue working with my inner guides to develop techniques and focus. Continue with both Druid and Eastern meditation practices (LBE, bifutsow). Perform cord magic to untie any remaining blockages.

2b. Cleansing, house blessing. More cord magic, releasing any trapped emotions. Honey-mark the ads to attract tenants/buyers. (Any other ideas in this area are welcome.)

3. Use your preferred method of divination to figure out both what you can do to make sure these goals will happen and also to figure out what road blocks keep you from this.

And the cards say…

3a. Pentagram Spread

Earth: King of Swords. Keep your mind focused and disciplined. Make sure your thoughts are manifesting in the physical realm, and aren’t just staying stuck in your head. Make ideas real, and don’t think you’ve accomplished something just because you’ve thought about it a lot.Water: The Lovers. Passion and connection to others are what will see you through.Air: Princess of Wands. Accept help from people who have traveled this path before you, who have knowledge in these areas already. (Probably in reference to my neighbor, S.)Fire: Nine of Wands. Bank the coals of your will so that you don’t burn out. Take little steps and keep the fire glowing—don’t aim for a full conflagration in this particular work.Spirit: Prince of Pentacles. Again, be practical in your approach. You’re a capricorn, and steady, measurable accomplishments are what keep you in the game. Focus on the manifestation of the spiritual in your everyday life, not just on the inner planes.

3b. 3 Card Draw

Past: Four of Wands (r). This place was not the happy hearth and home that you had hoped it would be. You still carry that resentment, and the desire to be right about choosing it in the first place. (Ouch, ok, gonna work on that.)Present: Six of Cups. Currently you’re in a place where you’re safe, and don’t have to think about the disappointments you experienced in the old house. However, this has also led you to stick your head in the sand about the situation, focusing on your current happiness instead of taking responsibility for your loose ends.Future: Six of Wands (r). See previous card. Beware of continuing to ignore the underlying emotional, as it will only lead to a sense of defeat. The antidote to this is the Prince of Swords, aka Do Dumb Stuff Fast. Be flexible and innovative to break through any blocks you might encounter.

4. Consult whatever inner or outer spirits you may work with as to what’s blocking you from achieving your goals.

My guides basically just confirmed the readings, and suggested some ways in which I might purge myself of the negative emotions surrounding the old house. Once those are cleared, it will be much easier to continue the physical work needed to make it turn a profit.